TransFair USA

TransFair USA is an independent, non profit fair trade certification organization, that certifies and promotes coffee, cocoa, banana's, and other fresh fruits. It is affiliated with the international fair trade umbrella organization, Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International.

Within the fair trade movement a ccentral debate is how certification can effectively drive susbtantial change without allowing major corporations to use certification on a small range of products to greenwash the entire company.

Writing in Wedge Co-Op Newsletter Rodney North argues that "some suggestions how large companies can make a convincing start" based on the example of fair trade coffee could include:
 * Convert an existing product to Fair Trade status, one that already has an established customer base.
 * Offer consumers a variety of Fair Trade choices (regular, decaf, flavored, whole bean or ground, etc.)
 * Utilize Fair Trade ingredients (such as cocoa, tea, sugar) in the corporation’s other products.
 * Most importantly, convert a significant portion of coffee imports (we recommend at least 5%) to demonstrate good faith, and steadily increase that % over time."

"We also recommend that the exclusive Fair Trade certifier in the U.S., TransFair USA, do its part on this front, by raising the bar so as to preclude tokenism. Requiring a minimum conversion of at least 5% before allowing use of the Fair Trade seal would be the best first step," he suggested.

Directors
Source
 * Tom Bullock - Chairman of the Board
 * Michael E. Conroy
 * Rick Larson
 * Carlos Alberto Vargas Leiton
 * Douglass T. Lind
 * Pedro F. Mata
 * Paul Rice, Ex officio - President and CEO, TransFair USA
 * Michael Shimkin
 * Kristen Grimm
 * Susan Clare

Former board members

 * Miguel Altieri, Ph.D., Professor/Author
 * Maureen Fenlon, OP, Social Investment Specialist
 * Paul Hawken, Founder of Smith and Hawken, environmentalist, best-selling author and entrepreneur
 * Susan Marx, Owner of S.T. Marx and Associates, Management Consultants

Advisory board members
Source
 * Kenneth J. Beeby, Attorney (Consultant) Retired Vice-President General Council of Ocean Spray Cranberries
 * Andrew J. Ferren, Esq., Partner, Goulston & Storrs
 * Debra Gerstel, Marketing and Business Development Consultant
 * Norissa Giangola, Director of New Business Partnerships for H*Works
 * John Hannan, CFO of Riverkeeper
 * John Henry, Senior Vice-president Grower Relations and CFO of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
 * Tim Horan, former Vice-president of Human Resources Latin America, Gillette Company
 * Stephen Land, Esq., Partner, Linklaters New York
 * Joshua Mailman, Sirius Business Corporation
 * Ellen Peck, Senior Officer, Director of Development for Save the Children
 * Todd Plate, Attorney and Counselor for Ruiz & Sperow, LLP
 * Catalina Ruiz-Healy, Philanthropic Advisor, New Progressive Coalition

Other SourceWatch Resources
Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International
 * Martha Jimenez

Contact Info
TransFair USA 1611 Telegraph Ave. Suite 900 Oakland, CA 94612 E-mail:info AT transfairusa.org Phone - 510 663 5260 Fax - 510 663 5264 Website:http://www.transfairusa.org